Chapter 7

He found her in the garden.

She was sitting on a bench, gazing up at the dark sky. Tears silently streamed down her face.

"Hey," he said simply, quietly sitting beside her. She glanced at him, startled.

"Hey."

They sat in silence for a little while, before Draco felt compelled to speak.

"Look, I'm sorry about what happened in there…"

She shook her head. "Don't be. It wasn't your fault. Harry's been…well not Harry lately. Not since Sirius died." Her throat choked a little with grief, but Draco couldn't tell whether it was for Sirius or for Harry. "He hasn't been the same since. It's like he won't get close to anyone, not even me or Ron anymore. He puts on this brave act, but he's really just scared." She began to cry more vigorously, and without even thinking about it, Draco draped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. She relaxed into his body, resting her head on his chest.

"I just want things the way they were."

He stroked her hair idly with one hand, soothing her. He didn't know why, but he felt drawn to comfort her, to ease her pain somehow.

"Hermione…" he began. "After you left, Dumbledore said something about not fighting who you're going to fight with." Hermione looked up at him. "What do you suppose he meant?"

She pulled back and smiled. "Isn't it obvious?" He shook his head. "I think you're going to fight with us."

For some reason this made his angry. He turned away, suddenly stiff.

"I never was going to fight against you. I'm not a Death Eater, you know."

Hermione blinked.

"I know, you all think I am. But I never wanted to be like that. I just wanted to…I don't know, just…be."

She reached out and placed a hand on his arm. "Draco, I didn't think you were…"

"Did you? Don't deny it." He pulled away and leapt to his feet. "You wouldn't have made this bargain if you thought I wasn't. It wasn't revenge otherwise."

"Draco, like I told Harry, this isn't about revenge!" He raised one eyebrow at her skeptically, and she blushed. "Maybe it was, to start with, but when I was dancing with you…I felt like I belonged...like I was home." She began to cry softly again. "You don't know what that means to me. I've never fit…anywhere! Not even here. But with you, it was right."

He gazed at her levelly, his face not betraying any emotion he was feeling. "Are you telling the truth, or are you just looking for someone now that Harry's gone."

Hermione didn't answer, but instead gently took his face in both hands and kissed him, tenderly, and then passionately. When they broke apart her eyes were shining and her cheeks were flushed. Looking down on her, Draco thought he had never seen anyone so beautiful.

She smiled up at him.

Draco's insides flipped as he kissed her again.

Hermione was a little surprised when he so suddenly pulled away and left her standing in the garden, alone.